U.S. patent number 8,182,054 [Application Number 12/385,681] was granted by the patent office on 2012-05-22 for retraction mechanism for a drawer.
This patent grant is currently assigned to King Slide Works Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Ken-Ching Chen, Hsiu-Chiang Liang, Chun-Chiang Wang.
United States Patent |
8,182,054 |
Liang , et al. |
May 22, 2012 |
Retraction mechanism for a drawer
Abstract
A retraction mechanism for a drawer includes a guiding member, a
holding member, and an elastic member. The guiding member includes
a first wall, a second wall, a first channel and a second channel,
a first end portion extending from first ends of the first and
second walls. The first end portion includes a locking portion
adjacent to the first channel. The holding member includes a pin
slot, and a first supporting portion and a second supporting
portion to hold against the first and second channels,
respectively. The first supporting portion includes a first
supporting leg corresponding to the locking portion. The drawer
includes a pin for engaging with or disengaging from the pin slot
when the drawer is pulled or pushed. The elastic member is adapted
to act on the holding member. The drawer urged by the elastic
member will be retracted into a furniture body when the drawer is
moved to a predetermined position.
Inventors: |
Liang; Hsiu-Chiang (Kaohsiung
Hsien, TW), Chen; Ken-Ching (Kaohsiung Hsien,
TW), Wang; Chun-Chiang (Kaohsiung Hsien,
TW) |
Assignee: |
King Slide Works Co., Ltd.
(Kaohsiung Hsien, TW)
|
Family
ID: |
40791980 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/385,681 |
Filed: |
April 16, 2009 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20090278430 A1 |
Nov 12, 2009 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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May 7, 2008 [TW] |
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97116924 A |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
312/333;
312/319.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B
88/467 (20170101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47B
95/00 (20060101); A47B 95/02 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;312/333,319.1-319.2,334.44,334.46-334.47 ;384/21 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Jayne; Darnell
Assistant Examiner: Roersma; Andrew
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A retraction mechanism for a drawer, comprising at least one
stationary rail, a furniture body, at least one drawer, and at
least one drawer rail mounted to the drawer, the stationary rail
being mounted to the furniture body and the drawer rail being
slidably connected to the stationary rail, the retraction mechanism
comprising: a guiding member secured to the stationary rail, the
guiding member comprising a first wall, a second wall, a third wall
extending from the first wall, a first channel defined between the
first wall and the third wall, a fourth wall extending from the
second wall, a second channel defined between the second wall and
the fourth wall, and a first end portion extending from first ends
of the first wall and the second wall, the first end portion
comprising a locking portion adjacent to the first channel; a
holding member comprising a first supporting portion holding
against the first channel and a second supporting portion extending
from the first supporting portion, the holding member clampingly
engaging the guiding member between the first and second supporting
portions, the first supporting portion comprising a first
supporting leg corresponding to the locking portion of the guiding
member, a second supporting leg, and a recess defined between the
first supporting leg and the second supporting leg, the second
supporting portion comprising a supporting plate holding against
the fourth wall of the guiding member and a third supporting leg
holding against the second channel of the guiding member, the
recess providing a space for the holding member to tilt at a
predetermined angle and the first supporting leg engaging with the
locking portion of the guiding member, the holding member further
comprising a first holding wall, a second holding wall, and a pin
slot defined between the first holding wall and the second holding
wall; and an elastic member having a first end connected to the
holding member and a second end secured to the stationary rail, the
elastic member providing a pulling force to the holding member; the
drawer comprising a pin corresponding in position to the pin slot,
when the drawer is retracted into the furniture body, the pin of
the drawer engaging with the pin slot of the holding member, the
elastic member urging the holding member toward the second end of
the elastic member, when the drawer is pulled outwardly to a first
predetermined position, the pin holding against the first holding
wall of the holding member for the holding member to tilt at an
angle, the first supporting leg of the first supporting portion of
the holding member disengaging from the first channel of the
guiding member with the first supporting leg holding against the
locking portion of the guiding member, the pin disengaging from the
pin slot of the holding member, and the drawer being free from the
elastic member; when the drawer is moved towards the furniture body
to a second predetermined position, the pin of the drawer holding
against the second holding wall of the holding member for the
holding member to tilt at an angle which brings the first
supporting leg of the holding member to disengage from the locking
portion of the guiding member, the holding member being pulled by
the elastic member to retract the drawer into the furniture
body.
2. The retraction mechanism for a drawer as claimed in claim 1,
further comprising a second end portion extending from second ends
of the first wall and the second wall, a first notch formed between
the second end portion and the third wall, and a second notch
formed between the second end portion and the fourth wall.
3. The retraction mechanism for a drawer as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the first end portion of the guiding member comprises a
first extension plate, a second extension plate extending inwardly
from the first extension plate, and a clip slot defined between the
first extension plate and the second extension plate, a head
portion extending from one end of the holding member, the head
portion corresponding in position to the clip slot of the guiding
member.
4. The retraction mechanism for a drawer as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the second channel is provided with a protrusion, the third
supporting leg of the second supporting portion holding against the
protrusion when the holding member is moved to the first
predetermined position.
5. The retraction mechanism for a drawer as claimed in claim 3,
wherein a buffer slot is formed between the head portion and the
holding member, the head portion having an inclined plane
corresponding to the second extension plate and a stop surface
adjacent to the inclined plane to form an acute angle thereat.
6. The retraction mechanism for a drawer as claimed in claim 1,
further comprising a side wall between the first wall and the
second wall and a groove defined among the side wall, the first
wall and the second wall, the holding member comprising a holding
portion resting in the groove.
7. The retraction mechanism for a drawer as claimed in claim 1,
further comprising a first connecting seat provided at the holding
member for connecting with the first end of the elastic member.
8. The retraction mechanism for a drawer as claimed in claim 7,
further comprising a connecting member connected to the first
connecting seat, the connecting member comprising a pair of
connecting portions for connecting with first ends of a pair of
elastic members, second ends of the pair of elastic members being
secured to the stationary rail.
9. The retraction mechanism for a drawer as claimed in claim 1,
further comprising a first connecting seat and a second connecting
seat provided at the holding member for connecting with a
connecting member and a pad, the connecting member comprising a
pair of connecting portions for connecting with a pair of elastic
members, the pad corresponding in position to a buffer member, the
buffer member having a first end secured to the stationary rail and
a second end provided with a telescopic inner rod to hold against
the pad for providing a buffering force to the holding member.
10. A refraction mechanism for a drawer, comprising at least one
stationary rail, a furniture body, at least one drawer, and at
least one drawer rail mounted to the drawer, the stationary rail
being mounted to the furniture body and the drawer rail being
slidably connected to the stationary rail, the retraction mechanism
comprising: a guiding member secured to the stationary rail, the
guiding member comprising a first wall, a second wall, a third wall
extending from the first wall, a first channel defined between the
first wall and the third wall, a fourth wall extending from the
second wall, a second channel defined between the second wall and
the fourth wall, and a first end portion extending from first ends
of the first wall and the second wall, the first end portion
comprising a locking portion adjacent to the first channel; a
holding member comprising a first supporting portion holding
against the first channel and a second supporting portion extending
from the first supporting portion, the holding member clampingly
engaging the guiding member between the first and second supporting
portions, the first supporting portion comprising a first
supporting leg corresponding to the locking portion of the guiding
member, a second supporting leg, and a recess defined between the
first supporting leg and the second supporting leg, the second
supporting portion comprising a supporting plate holding against
the fourth wall of the guiding member and a third supporting leg
holding against the second channel of the guiding member, the
recess providing a space for the holding member to tilt at a
predetermined angle and the first supporting leg engaging with the
locking portion of the guiding member, the holding member further
comprising a first holding wall, a second holding wall, and a pin
slot defined between the first holding wall and the second holding
wall, the drawer comprising a pin corresponding in position to the
pin slot, the first holding wall and the second holding wall being
substantially perpendicular to the first wall of the guiding
member, a length from a top of the first holding wall to a bottom
of the pin slot being shorter than a length from a bottom of the
first supporting leg to a top of the recess; and an elastic member
having a first end connected to the holding member and a second end
secured to the stationary rail, the elastic member providing a
pulling force to the holding member.
11. The retraction mechanism for a drawer as claimed in claim 10,
further comprising a second end portion extending from second ends
of the first wall and the second wall, a first notch formed between
the second end portion and the third wall, and a second notch
formed between the second end portion and the fourth wall.
12. The retraction mechanism for a drawer as claimed in claim 10,
wherein the first end portion of the guiding member comprises a
first extension plate, a second extension plate extending inwardly
from the first extension plate, and a clip slot defined between the
first extension plate and the second extension plate, a head
portion extending from one end of the holding member, the head
portion corresponding in position to the clip slot of the guiding
member.
13. The retraction mechanism for a drawer as claimed in claim 10,
wherein the second channel is provided with a protrusion, the third
supporting leg of the second supporting portion holding against the
protrusion when the holding member is moved to a predetermined
position.
14. The retraction mechanism for a drawer as claimed in claim 12,
wherein a buffer slot is formed between the head portion and the
holding member, the head portion having an inclined plane
corresponding to the second extension plate and a stop surface
adjacent to the inclined plane to form an acute angle thereat.
15. The retraction mechanism for a drawer as claimed in claim 10,
further comprising a side wall between the first wall and the
second wall and a groove defined among the side wall, the first
wall and the second wall, the holding member comprising a holding
portion resting in the groove.
16. The retraction mechanism for a drawer as claimed in claim 10,
further comprising a first connecting seat provided at the holding
member for connecting with the first end of the elastic member.
17. The retraction mechanism for a drawer as claimed in claim 16,
further comprising a connecting member connected to the first
connecting seat, the connecting member comprising a pair of
connecting portions for connecting with first ends of a pair of
elastic members, second ends of the pair of elastic members being
secured to the stationary rail.
18. The retraction mechanism for a drawer as claimed in claim 10,
further comprising a first connecting seat and a second connecting
seat provided at the holding member for connecting with a
connecting member and a pad, the connecting member comprising a
pair of connecting portions for connecting with a pair of elastic
members, the pad corresponding in position to a buffer member, the
buffer member having a first end secured to the stationary rail and
a second end provided with a telescopic inner rod to hold against
the pad for providing a buffering force to the holding member.
19. A refraction mechanism, comprising: a guiding member comprising
a first wall, a second wall, a third wall extending from the first
wall, a first channel defined between the first wall and the third
wall, a fourth wall extending from the second wall, a second
channel defined between the second wall and the fourth wall, and a
first end portion extending from first ends of the first wall and
the second wall, the first end portion comprising a locking portion
adjacent to the first channel; a holding member comprising a first
supporting portion holding against the first channel and a second
supporting portion extending from the first supporting portion, the
holding member clampingly engaging the guiding member between the
first and second supporting portions, the first supporting portion
comprising a first supporting leg corresponding to the locking
portion of the guiding member, a second supporting leg, and a
recess defined between the first supporting leg and the second
supporting leg, the second supporting portion comprising a
supporting plate holding against the fourth wall of the guiding
member and a third supporting leg holding against the second
channel of the guiding member, the recess providing a space for the
holding member to tilt at a predetermined angle and the first
supporting leg engaging with the locking portion of the guiding
member, the holding member further comprising a first holding wall,
a second holding wall, and a pin slot defined between the first
holding wall and the second holding wall, the first holding wall
and the second holding wall being substantially perpendicular to
the first wall of the guiding member, a length from a top of the
first holding wall to a bottom of the pin slot being shorter than a
length from a bottom of the first supporting leg to a top of the
recess; and an elastic member having a first end connected to the
holding member for the elastic member providing a pulling force to
the holding member.
20. The retraction mechanism as claimed in claim 19, further
comprising a second end portion extending from second ends of the
first wall and the second wall, a first notch formed between the
second end portion and the third wall, and a second notch formed
between the second end portion and the fourth wall.
21. The retraction mechanism as claimed in claim 19, wherein the
first end portion of the guiding member comprises a first extension
plate, a second extension plate extending inwardly from the first
extension plate, and a clip slot defined between the first
extension plate and the second extension plate, a head portion
extending from one end of the holding member, the head portion
corresponding in position to the clip slot of the guiding
member.
22. The retraction mechanism as claimed in claim 19, wherein the
second channel is provided with a protrusion, the third supporting
leg of the second supporting portion holding against the protrusion
when the holding member is moved to a predetermined position.
23. The retraction mechanism as claimed in claim 21, wherein a
buffer slot is formed between the head portion and the holding
member, the head portion having an inclined plane corresponding to
the second extension plate and a stop surface adjacent to the
inclined plane to form an acute angle thereat.
24. The retraction mechanism as claimed in claim 19, further
comprising a side wall between the first wall and the second wall
and a groove defined among the side wall, the first wall and the
second wall, the holding member comprising a holding portion
resting in the groove.
25. The retraction mechanism as claimed in claim 19, further
comprising a first connecting seat provided at the holding member
for connecting with the first end of the elastic member.
26. The retraction mechanism as claimed in claim 25, further
comprising a connecting member connected to the first connecting
seat, the connecting member comprising a pair of connecting
portions for connecting with first ends of a pair of elastic
members.
27. The retraction mechanism as claimed in claim 19, further
comprising a first connecting seat and a second connecting seat
provided at the holding member for connecting with a connecting
member and a pad, the connecting member comprising a pair of
connecting portions for connecting with a pair of elastic members,
the pad corresponding in position to a buffer member, the buffer
member comprising a telescopic inner rod to hold against the pad
for providing a buffering force to the holding member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a retraction mechanism, and more
particularly to a retraction mechanism adapted to a drawer to
assist the drawer in retracting into a furniture body.
2. Description of Prior Art
Retractable drawers have been widely used by the consumers, and
there are a number of patents related to this issue, such as U.S.
Pat. No. 5,207,781 to Rock, titled "Closing device for moving a
drawer to a fully inserted position within a furniture body"; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,364,179 to Brustle et al, titled "Closing device for
Drawers"; U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,375 to Hollenstein et al, titled
"Closing device for moving a drawer to a fully inserted position
within a furniture body"; U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,318 to Schroder et
al, titled "Device for holding a drawer in an article of
furniture"; U.S. Pat. No. 5,302,016 to Lautenschlager et al, titled
"Automatic pull-in mechanism for drawer guides"; U.S. Pat. No.
5,580,138 to Grabher, titled "Retraction-assisting device for use
with a drawer; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,813 to Gasser, titled
"Retraction device for drawers".
U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,781 discloses a pin member linking a tiltable
member along a groove. One end of the tiltable member is pulled by
an elastic member, and the terminal of the groove is formed with a
curved end. When the tiltable member driven by the pin member is
moved to the curved end of the groove, the tiltable member will be
turned at a predetermined angle to engage with the curved end
temporarily, which allows the drawer to be moved outward freely
from a cabinet. To retract the drawer, simply push the drawer
inward, which brings the pin member to reconnect with the tiltable
member. With the elasticity of the elastic member, the drawer is
fully retracted into the cabinet.
All of the other patents described above share the same concept of
using a groove or the like for the tiltable member to move
therealong. Without the groove, the tilting movement will be
unstable. In order to stabilize the movement, it is necessary to
increase the size of the groove. Furthermore, the prior art uses
the cured groove to lock the tiltable member, which may be
disengaged with a minor movement. The tiltable member may be pulled
back by the elastic member.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a retraction mechanism for a
drawer, which provides a simple and easy way for installation of
the retraction mechanism and facilitates retraction of a drawer
back into a furniture body steadily.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a retraction mechanism for a drawer, comprising at least
one stationary rail, a furniture body, at least one drawer, and at
least one drawer rail mounted to the drawer, the stationary rail
being mounted to the furniture body and the drawer rail being
slidably connected to the stationary rail, the retraction mechanism
comprising:
a guiding member secured to the stationary rail, the guiding member
comprising a first wall, a second wall, a third wall extending from
the first wall, a first channel defined between the first wall and
the third wall, a fourth wall extending from the second wall, a
second channel defined between the second wall and the fourth wall,
and a first end portion extending from first ends of the first wall
and the second wall, the first end portion comprising a locking
portion adjacent to the first channel;
a holding member comprising a first supporting portion holding
against the first channel and a second supporting portion extending
from the first supporting portion, the first supporting portion
comprising a first supporting leg corresponding to the locking
portion of the guiding member, a second supporting leg, and a
recess defined between the first supporting leg and the second
supporting leg, the second supporting portion comprising a
supporting plate holding against the fourth wall of the guiding
member and a third supporting leg holding against the second
channel of the guiding member, the recess providing a space for the
holding member to tilt at a predetermined angle and the first
supporting leg engaging with the locking portion of the guiding
member, the holding member further comprising a first holding wall,
a second holding wall, and a pin slot defined between the first
holding wall and the second holding wall; and
an elastic member having a first end connected to the holding
member and a second end secured to the stationary rail, the elastic
member providing a pulling force to the holding member;
the drawer comprising a pin corresponding in position to the pin
slot, when the drawer is retracted into the furniture body, the pin
of the drawer engaging with the pin slot of the holding member, the
elastic member urging the holding member toward the second end of
the elastic member, when the drawer is pulled outwardly to a first
predetermined position, the pin holding against the first holding
wall of the holding member for the holding member to tilt at an
angle, the first supporting leg of the first supporting portion of
the holding member disengaging from the first channel of the
guiding member with the first supporting leg holding against the
locking portion of the guiding member, the pin disengaging from the
pin slot of the holding member, and the drawer being free from the
elastic member;
when the drawer is moved towards the furniture body to a second
predetermined position, the pin of the drawer holding against the
second holding wall of the holding member for the holding member to
tilt at an angle which brings the first supporting leg of the
holding member to disengage from the locking portion of the guiding
member, the holding member being pulled by the elastic member to
retract the drawer into the furniture body.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a retraction mechanism for a drawer, comprising at least
one stationary rail, a furniture body, at least one drawer, and at
least one drawer rail mounted to the drawer, the stationary rail
being mounted to the furniture body and the drawer rail being
slidably connected to the stationary rail, the retraction mechanism
comprising:
a guiding member secured to the stationary rail, the guiding member
comprising a first wall, a second wall, a third wall extending from
the first wall, a first channel defined between the first wall and
the third wall, a fourth wall extending from the second wall, a
second channel defined between the second wall and the fourth wall,
and a first end portion extending from first ends of the first wall
and the second wall, the first end portion comprising a locking
portion adjacent to the first channel;
a holding member comprising a first supporting portion holding
against the first channel and a second supporting portion extending
from the first supporting portion, the first supporting portion
comprising a first supporting leg corresponding to the locking
portion of the guiding member, a second supporting leg, and a
recess defined between the first supporting leg and the second
supporting leg, the second supporting portion comprising a
supporting plate holding against the fourth wall of the guiding
member and a third supporting leg holding against the second
channel of the guiding member, the recess providing a space for the
holding member to tilt at a predetermined angle and the first
supporting leg engaging with the locking portion of the guiding
member, the holding member further comprising a first holding wall,
a second holding wall, and a pin slot defined between the first
holding wall and the second holding wall, the drawer comprising a
pin corresponding in position to the pin slot, the first holding
wall and the second holding wall being substantially perpendicular
to the first wall of the guiding member, a length from a top of the
first holding wall to a bottom of the pin slot being shorter than a
length from a bottom of the first supporting leg to a top of the
recess; and
an elastic member having a first end connected to the holding
member and a second end secured to the stationary rail, the elastic
member providing a pulling force to the holding member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a retraction mechanism and a
stationary rail according to a first preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the retraction mechanism according to
the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the retraction mechanism according
to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the retraction mechanism
according to the first preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the retraction mechanism and the
stationary rail according to the first preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the retraction mechanism provided
with a connecting member according to the first preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the retraction mechanism connected
the connecting member and the stationary rail according to the
first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the retraction mechanism in
conjunction with a drawer and a furniture body according to the
first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the retraction mechanism and
the stationary rail according to the first preferred embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a holding member of the
retraction mechanism being pulled to a predetermined position
according to the first preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a second extension plate
of a guiding member being held according to the first preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the holding member being
locked according to the first preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing detachment of a pin of
the drawer from the retraction mechanism according to the first
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the holding member
malfunctioning and being pulled back according to the first
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the pin being engaged
with the holding member again according to the first preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the retraction mechanism provided
with a pad according to a second preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the retraction mechanism provided
with the pad and the stationary rail according to the second
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the retraction mechanism and
the stationary rail according to the second preferred embodiment of
the present invention; and
FIG. 19 a cross-sectional view showing the holding member being
locked according to the second preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a retraction mechanism 10 and a
stationary rail 12 according to a first preferred embodiment of the
present invention. FIGS. 2 through 5 are schematic views of the
retraction mechanism 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, the
retraction mechanism 10 comprises a guiding member 20, a holding
member 50 and an elastic member 90.
The guiding member 20 is secured to the stationary rail 12. The
guiding member 20 comprises a first wall 22a, a second wall 22b, a
side wall 24, a third wall 22c, and a fourth wall 22d. The side
wall 24 is disposed between the first wall 22a and the second wall
22b. A groove 26 is defined among the side wall 24, the first wall
22a, and the second wall 22b. The third wall 22c extends from a
portion of a surface of the first wall 22a. A first channel 28 is
defined between the first wall 22a and the third wall 22c. The
fourth wall 22d extends from a portion of a surface of the second
wall 22b. A second channel 30 is defined between the second wall
22b and the fourth wall 22d. A first end portion 32 and a second
end portion 34 extend from two opposite ends of the first wall 22a
and the second wall 22b, respectively. A first notch 36 is formed
between the second end portion 34 and the third wall 22c. A second
notch 38 is formed between the second end portion 34 and the fourth
wall 22d. The first end portion 32 comprises a locking portion 42
adjacent to one end of the first channel 28, a first extension
plate 44 extending from the first wall 22a and the second wall 22b,
a second extension plate 46 extending from the first extension
plate 44 inwardly, and a clip slot 48 defined between the first
extension plate 44 and the second extension plate 46. In this
embodiment, the first end portion 32 and the second end portion 34
of the guiding member 20 comprise a first fixing portion 33 and a
second fixing portion 35, respectively. The stationary rail 12
comprises a first engaging portion 13a and a second engaging
portion 13b to engage with the first fixing portion 33 and the
second fixing portion 35, respectively, as shown in FIG. 5.
The holding member 50 comprises a holding portion 52, a first
supporting portion 54, and a second supporting portion 56. The
holding portion 52 is coupled to the groove 26 of the guiding
member 20, as shown in FIG. 4. The first supporting portion 54
rests on the first channel 28 of the guiding member 20. The second
supporting portion 56 extends from the first supporting portion 54.
The first supporting portion 54 further comprises a first
supporting leg 54a corresponding to the locking portion 42 of the
guiding member 20, a second supporting leg 54b, and a recess 58
defined between the second supporting leg 54b and the first
supporting leg 54a. The recess 58 allows the holding member 50 to
make a movement at a predetermined angle. The second supporting
portion 56 comprises a supporting plate 56a holding against the
fourth wall 22d of the guiding member 20, and a third supporting
leg 56b holding against the second channel 30 of the guiding member
20. The second channel 30 is provided with a protrusion 40.
The holding member 50 further comprises a first holding wall 60 and
a second holding wall 62, and a pin slot 64 defined between the
first holding wall 60 and the second holding wall 62. The pin slot
64 is located corresponding to a pin 17 of a drawer rail 18. The
first holding wall 60 and the second holding wall 62 are
substantially perpendicular to the first wall 22a of the guiding
member 20. The length from a top of the first holding wall 60 to a
bottom of the pin slot 64 is shorter than the length from a top of
the first supporting leg 54a to a bottom of the recess 58. The
holding member 50 has a first end and a second end. A head portion
70 extends from the first end of the holding member 50. The head
portion 70 corresponds in position to the clip slot 48 of the
guiding member 20. A buffer slot 71 is defined between the head
portion 70 and the holding member 50. The head portion 70 has an
inclined plane 72 corresponding to the second extension plate 46
and a stop surface 73 adjacent to the inclined plane 72 to form an
acute angle thereat.
The elastic member 90 has a first end connected to the holding
member 50 and a second end fixed to the stationary rail 12,
providing an urging force to pull the holding member 50 backwardly,
as shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the retraction mechanism 10 and the
stationary rail 12 according to the first preferred embodiment of
the present invention. The elastic member 90 of the retraction
mechanism 10 directly acts on the holding member 50. The second end
of the holding member 50 may be provided with a first connecting
seat 74 and a second connecting seat 76. In this embodiment, a
connecting member 78 is secured to the first connecting seat 74. As
shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the connecting member 78 comprises a pair
of connecting portions 80 and 82 for a pair of elastic members to
be secured thereat. In this embodiment, the first end of the
elastic member 90 is connected to either of the connecting portions
80 and 82 for the elastic member 90 of the retraction mechanism 10
to act on the holding member 50.
FIGS. 8 and 9 show the operation of the present invention. This
embodiment comprises a plurality of furniture accessories, such as
at least one pair of stationary rails 12, a furniture body 14, at
least one drawer 16, and at least one pair of drawer rails 18
secured to the drawer 16. The pair of stationary rails 12 is
secured to the furniture body 14. The pair of drawer rails 18 is
slidably connected to the pair of stationary rails 12, so that the
drawer 16 may be slidable in the furniture body 14. The drawer 16
comprises the pin 17 corresponding in position to the pin slot 64
of the holding member 50. When the drawer 16 is fully retracted
into the furniture body 14, the pin 17 of the drawer 16 will rest
in the pin slot 64 of the holding member 50 and the elastic member
90 will urge the holding member 50 towards the second end of the
elastic member 90 which is fixed to the stationary rail 12, thus
the drawer 16 remains in the furniture body 14.
When the drawer 16 is pulled away from the furniture body 14, as
shown in FIG. 10, the urging force from the elastic member 90 must
be overcome. The pin 17 resting in the pin slot 64 is engaged with
the first holding wall 60 so that the holding member 50 slides
along with the movement of the drawer 16. The holding portion 52 of
the holding member 50 slides along the groove 26 of the guiding
member 20. The first supporting leg 54a and the second supporting
leg 54b of the holding member 50 slide along the first channel 28
while the third supporting leg 56b of the holding member 50 slides
along the second channel 30 of the guiding member 20.
When the drawer 16 is pulled to a first predetermined position, as
shown in FIG. 11, the inclined plane 72 of the head portion 70 of
the holding member 50 will engage with the second extension plate
46 of the guiding member 20 and the second extension plate 46 will
be elastically bent, as shown in FIG. 12. The first supporting leg
54a of the holding member 50 disengages from the first channel 28
of the guiding member 20, so that the holding member 50 is able to
tilt at an angle which brings the first supporting leg 54a to hold
against the locking portion 42 of the guiding member 20, while the
third supporting leg 56b of the second supporting portion 56 holds
against the protrusion 40 of the guiding member 20 for restricting
movement of the holding member 50. The second extension plate 46 of
the guiding member 20 engages with the head portion 70 of the
holding member 50 to keep the head portion 70 of the holding member
50 within the clip slot 48 of the guiding member 20. The elastic
member 90 provides a backward pulling force to the holding member
50 for keeping the holding member 50 in a locked status. The pin 17
of the drawer 16 may be disengaged from the pin slot 64 of the
holding member 50, thus the drawer 16 may be pulled outward freely,
as shown in FIG. 13.
On the other hand, when the drawer 16 is pushed to a second
predetermined position toward the furniture body 14, the pin 17
will hold against the second holding wall 62 of the holding member
50 to move, and the holding member 50 will be able to tilt at an
angle to bring the first supporting leg 54a of the holding member
50 to disengage from the locking portion 42 of the guiding member
20. The third supporting leg 56b is brought to disengage from the
protrusion 40 of the guiding member 20, and the head portion 70 of
the holding member 50 is brought to disengage from the clip slot 48
of the guiding member 20, so that the first supporting leg 54a of
the holding member 50 holds against the first channel 28 of the
guiding member 20. The holding member 50 is pulled by the elastic
member 90, so that the drawer 16 urged by the elastic member 90 is
fully retracted into the furniture body 14, as shown in FIG. 9.
In the event of a malfunction situation, as shown in FIG. 14, when
the drawer 16 is pulled away from the furniture body 14 which links
the holding member 50 to move, if the first supporting leg 54a is
not engaged with the locking portion 42, no matter for what
reasons, the holding member 50 will be pulled by the elastic member
90 to a predetermined position. Hence, to restore to a normal
position, the drawer 16 may be pushed into the furniture body 14 to
bring the pin 17 of the drawer 16 holding against the holding
member 50, thus when the pushing force from the elastic member 90
is continued on the drawer 16 towards the furniture body 14, the
pin 17 of the drawer 16 will slide along the inclined plane 72 of
the head portion 70 which pushes the head portion 70 towards the
buffer slot 71, therefore the pin 17 of the drawer 16 overrides the
inclined plane 72 of the head portion 70 to engage with the stop
surface 73, thus the operation is back to normal status and the
holding member 50 can be moved by the pin 17 of the drawer 16.
FIG. 16 is an exploded view according to a second preferred
embodiment of the present invention, which is substantially similar
to the first preferred embodiment with the exception described
hereinafter. The retraction mechanism further comprises a pad 84, a
pair of elastic members 90a and 90b, and a buffer member 86. The
pad 84 is secured to the second connecting seat 76 of the holding
member 50, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. In this embodiment, the
pair of elastic members 90a and 90b has first ends connected to the
connecting portions 80 and 82 of the connecting member 78 and
second ends secured to the stationary rail 12. The buffer member 86
has a first end secured to the stationary rail 12 and a second end
provided with a telescopic inner rod 88 which is connected to the
pad 84 for providing a buffering against the holding member 50.
The operation of the second preferred embodiment is similar to the
first preferred embodiment as mentioned above with the exception
described hereinafter. When the drawer 16 is pulled away from the
furniture body 14 to a predetermined distance, the inner rod 88 of
the buffer member 86 will extend outward to a predetermined
position to engage with the holding member 50, as shown in FIG. 19.
(The drawer 16 is not depicted in FIG. 19, please refer to FIG. 8.)
Thus, when the drawer 16 is pushed backward into the furniture body
14, the buffer member 86 will provide a buffering force to the
holding member 50 to slow down the movement.
While there has been described and illustrated some specific
embodiments of the present invention, it will be clear that various
in the details of the embodiment specifically illustrated and
described may be made without departing from the true spirit and
scope of the present invention as defined in the appended
claims.
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